Schisandra chinensis

Chinese lemongrass care

As a vine, lemongrass needs support. It is usually grown on trellises, which are installed in the year the vines are planted. Ladders set at an angle can also be used as supports. Without support, the plant takes the form of a bush and begins to bear fruit late.

An adult liana in ordinary years tolerates winter well without being removed from supports, but young plants need shelter. For the first three years, they are recommended to be covered with a thick layer of leaves and spruce branches.

The roots of lemongrass are shallow, so you need to loosen the soil in the trunk circles carefully, no deeper than 5-6 cm.The earth under the lemongrass should not be dug up - this can lead to the death of the plant

Dislikes lemongrass and transplantation: even a slight drying of the root system can affect it negatively

The earth under lemongrass should not be dug up - this can lead to the death of the plant. He does not like lemongrass and transplantation: even a slight drying of the root system can affect it negatively.

It is useful to mulch the root zone with humus or leaf compost. This prevents soil compaction, which Schizandra does not like, and increases its yield.

Due to the superficial root system, the plant has a low drought tolerance. Young seedlings especially suffer from it, which in the first spring and summer need to be shaded, watered abundantly and not let the soil dry out. Adult vines should be watered and sprayed weekly in the absence of rain. Drought is most dangerous during the period of active growth of shoots and ovaries.

And, of course, lemongrass also needs regular feeding. After planting, the plant has enough nutrients for three years, then this supply needs to be replenished. In the spring, before budding, the vine is fertilized with 30 g of ammonium nitrate.

After flowering, the plant will benefit from feeding with a solution of mullein infusion (1 liter per bucket of water), and at the end of summer it needs phosphorus-potassium fertilizers: 60 g of superphosphate and 30-40 g of potassium sulfate per 1 sq. M. Every three years, 1-2 buckets of rotted manure or compost are applied per plant.

They begin to cut the vine in the third year after planting, because with good care it grows quickly, thickens and forms many root suckers. Of the young shoots, only 4-5 are left, the rest are cut off above the ground. Pruning is carried out in the fall after the leaves fall.

Adult plants are periodically sanitized: old, low-yielding vines are cut off, replacing them with young ones, all dried, weak and excess shoots are removed, and the side branches are shortened just above the 12th bud.

Schisandra chinensis practically does not suffer from diseases and pests, and even the gray rot of the fruit and powdery mildew do not do much harm to it.

The plant can be propagated by seeds, cuttings, layering and root shoots.

Harvesting

Schisandra fruits are ready for harvest when they acquire a uniform bright carmine-red color, become soft and transparent. Collect lemongrass with tassels together with stalks. They also have medicinal value. The stalks can be dried, minced, and used as a flavoring agent in tea.

Almost the entire crop can be harvested in one go. Harvesting will speed up if you spread burlap under the bush, and hit the stretched branch with the edge of your palm. From a sharp blow and shaking, the berries crumble, it remains only to collect them from the litter.

Lemongrass fruits are poorly stored, they quickly grow moldy and begin to ferment. Therefore, they should be recycled on the day of collection or the next day. During processing, crushing of seeds should be avoided, otherwise the workpieces will acquire a bitter taste.

The berries are dried in the oven at 60C for 3-4 days.When properly dried, lemongrass has a deep red color. Medicinal properties persist for two years.

The material was published in the Library of the newspaper "Gardening World" "Garden. Garden. Flower garden ", No. 12, 2010

Chinese schisandra: growing rules

Chinese lemongrass can be grown both from seeds and with the help of seedlings. The most popular and practical method is considered to be the seed method, thanks to which it is possible to obtain healthy, strengthened seedlings, more adapted to unpredictable conditions. But growing plants with root shoots will give quick results. To do this, you need to dig up young shoots and separate them from the main root. Today everything is much simpler - all planting materials can be purchased on a specialized market. The main thing is to choose a fresh and healthy seedling, which is determined by external signs: a whole, elastic and not dry root system. If you live in the middle lane, then the best option would be to plant lemongrass at the end of April, and if your location is in the southern part, then it is better to postpone planting to autumn - September, October.

Successful cultivation depends on where lemongrass is planted. Since this plant is curly, you need to make sure that there is a support nearby: country buildings, pillars or trees

As for the location, it is important to provide warmth, protection from wind, draft and direct sunlight.

The most important thing is to create a good drainage system. To do this, you can pour a small amount of medium crushed stone or expanded clay on the bottom of the hole.

This will prevent water from stagnating in the soil and will protect the roots of the plant from excessive moisture. The soil must be fertilized with mineral or organic fertilizers. From minerals, you can use superphosphates, and from organic ones - ash or humus.

Young seedlings take root without problems, quickly adapt and begin to grow actively. Caring for Chinese lemongrass is simple and includes the following steps:

Watering. The homeland of the plant is considered to be an area with high humidity, therefore, in hot weather, it must be sprayed with water and watered regularly (only after sunset, since the root system passing close to the surface of the earth can be easily scorched).

Support

An important part of good growth and a rich berry harvest is the proper support. If there is no support, then the shrub grows small and rarely bears fruit.

The support is installed on the day of planting. In the first period of growth of lemongrass, its shoots are tied to the lower row of the support, and in subsequent years to the upper one.

Fertilizer. Nutrition is an important component of good growth of the shrub, as well as the juiciness and productivity of its berries. Fertilizer is applied already in the first stages of plant life and continues to be used every few weeks. The curly branches of the shrub begin to bear fruit within three years after planting on the site.

Pruning. The shrub quickly develops its aboveground part, which needs care. The first pruning of branches can be carried out as early as the second year after planting. Shoots that appear on the trunk can harm the entire plant, so they are removed and only a few are left - 3-6 pcs. In the fall, standard pruning is carried out, involving the destruction of old, dry or broken branches.

As you can see, it is not so difficult to grow and care for a shrub. This will require the implementation of some rules and the creation of optimal conditions.

Do not forget about watering and fertilizing

Chinese lemongrass, native to the Far East, is used to high humidity. Therefore, aridity does not tolerate well. Young plants that have not had time to acquire a powerful root system capable of extracting moisture from great depths even on hot summer days are especially affected.

Therefore, it is advisable to water it at least once a week.Moreover, you need to moisten the soil abundantly: two or three buckets per plant on sandy soils (on black soil or clay, the amount of water can be reduced). Of course, if the soil is already wet due to the proximity of groundwater or regular rains, then watering should be abandoned: excess moisture will lead to the fact that the roots will begin to rot and the plant will die.

We must not forget about feeding. Already in the second or third year, it is worth using saltpeter. About 30 grams are scattered on the ground around the trunk. A layer of mulch is laid on top, hay, grass, sawdust or ordinary needles are suitable. Due to this, when watering, the saltpeter will gradually dissolve and be evenly distributed in the soil, providing long-term nutrition to the plant.

In the summer, it is advisable to use a liquid organic fertilizing every month. Green slurry or cow dung dissolved in water in a proportion of a kilogram per ten liters of water is suitable.

After dropping the leaves in the fall, it is worth adding 100 grams of wood ash under each plant, and then carefully loosen the ground. It is also useful to add 20 grams of superphosphate per plant.

How to choose planting material

Lemongrass is called that way because the whole plant has a rather characteristic specific aroma that is easily recognized. The only thing you need to ask the seller is which of the forms you are getting - monoecious, dioecious, or grown from seed.

The varieties "Pervenets" and "Sadovy 1" were specially bred in research laboratories, so they can be found on rare occasions. Often they are offered with this name, but this does not mean at all that it is they.

Therefore, it is more logical to take seeds, or seedlings grown from them for 2-3 years

Pay attention to the root system: it should be developed enough for planting and not look dry. It's good if lumps of earth are present

Chinese lemongrass - cultivation and useful properties and tincture of lemongrass

Chinese lemongrass - useful and medicinal properties of a plant, a few words about its cultivation

Chinese Far Eastern lemongrass (Schisandra chinensis) is gaining increasing popularity among gardeners due to its unique healing properties. Unlike its wild relative, lemongrass in culture is a self-pollinating plant. In May, white fragrant male and female flowers appear on a liana climbing to a height of 5 m.

And by August, red berries ripen, collected in long bunches.

In full accordance with the Thai name for lemongrass "wu-wei-chi" (herb of five flavors), the berries taste simultaneously sweet, sour, salty, bitter and pungent, and acid dominates in them. In traditional Chinese medicine, they are used to boost vitality and are eaten raw, dried, or made into juice and jelly.

This is a climbing plant, a vine with a developed rhizome.

The stem reaches 10-15 meters in length and 2-2.5 centimeters in diameter. Drops leaves in autumn. The berries ripen in early September.

Schizandra berries taste sour, you can feel the taste of lemon.

The birthplace of the plant is China.

Chinese lemongrass is widespread in Primorye, in the Khabarovsk Territory and began to spread in Russia.

In the Far East, it grows not only in a cultural form, but also in the taiga.
It takes a long time.

Aboveground vine can die off several times, but the roots will give new growth each time in spring. After installing the supports from the stakes, lemongrass will grow faster, wrapping around the supports.

When growing lemongrass, remember - he loves the sunny side.

Chinese lemongrass - beneficial properties

It is worth mentioning that Chinese magnolia vine is a storehouse of vitamins and medicinal raw materials.

However, only fruits and seeds are used.

The berries contain malic, citric and tartaric acids, vitamins C and E, essential oil and many more substances necessary for the human body. Therefore, the spectrum of ailments that this plant treats is extremely wide.

Schisandra chinensis has a positive effect on the central nervous system, increases tone in people with low blood pressure, which ultimately normalizes blood pressure, enhances light sensitivity of the eyes, promotes rapid recovery of strength during physical and mental stress, as I was convinced and told about this at the beginning of the article ...

This plant increases the immune-biological reactions, also helps with asthenic and astheno-depressive conditions, mental reactive depressions.

And this is not a complete list of ailments that lemongrass cures.

However, the Chinese magnolia vine has contraindications.

For example, the use of lemongrass is contraindicated for people with high blood pressure, with cardiac disorders.
The most common tinctures and alcoholic extracts produced by the pharmaceutical industry.

The tincture is made from one part of dried berries and five parts of 96% alcohol.

The alcoholic extract contains one part of berries and three parts of 70% alcohol. In an industrial setting, various additives are introduced that enhance pharmaceutical and medicinal qualities.

Tinctures and extracts are recommended for 20-30 drops on an empty stomach or 3-4 hours after meals for 20-25 days. Before use, you should consult your doctor.

At home, the berries are rubbed with sugar and used to prevent fatigue and ailments.

Beneficial features

The plant has many beneficial properties. Planting Chinese magnolia vine in the Moscow region and caring for it is not too difficult, and the fruits of the plant are rich in vitamins and microelements.

To begin with, some experts consider its berries to be one of the healthiest in the world. They contain a huge amount of tartaric, malic, citric, linoleic, oleic, palmitic and lauric acids. They also contain magnesium, zinc, selenium and iron. Finally, the amount of vitamins A, C and E in fruits is simply off scale.

Regular consumption of lemongrass berries and products made from them has a positive effect on the heart. They also have a stimulating effect on the body: a person feels a surge of strength, easily copes with hard work (both physical and requiring a high concentration of attention). Perfect for dealing with depression and inner fears.

By improving the work of the adrenal glands, they stabilize the production of hormones, and also allow the restoration of liver cells.

In short, it is simply impossible to overestimate this amazing plant. If you are interested in plants that bring benefits, Chinese lemongrass, planting and caring for which in the Moscow region is quite simple, will be the perfect choice.

Two varieties of Chinese (Far Eastern) lemongrass

In different regions of the Far East, there are about 20 varieties of Chinese liana, which grows in forests. In the gardens you can find 2 varieties: "Firstborn" and "Garden - 1".

Firstborn

This variety of lemongrass vine was bred by Moscow breeders. "Firstborn" has small elongated berries, the skin of which is purple-scarlet, the flesh is red. A mature brush of this variety is 10-12 cm long, its weight ranges from 10 to 12 g. If the "Firstborn" is planted in an open area, then its bush will be of medium size; the length will be about 5 m.

Firstborn

This species is monoecious. The main disadvantages of the variety are poor resistance to diseases and susceptibility to the negative effects of low air temperatures.

Sadovy-1

This variety of Chinese chisandra does not need pollinators, it is a self-fertile hybrid. The owners of this culture remove 4-6 kg of harvest from one bush, since the variety is distinguished by active growth of shoots and gives many stalks. The length of the brush of this variety is 9-10 cm.

Garden 1

Unlike "Firstborn", it is resistant to frost.

Reproduction of lemongrass

Seeds.The most difficult way to reproduce lemongrass. It is recommended to use it only if it is impossible to purchase other planting material. Only fresh seeds harvested this year are needed for sowing. They can be sown both immediately in the fall and in the spring, after stratification. In the second case, seed germination will be twice as high as that of spring sowing.

Schisandra seeds

The seeds are collected from ripe berries. After washing and drying, they are removed until December in a dry place in a paper bag. In December, the seeds are soaked for 4 days, changing the water daily. After that, the seeds in a nylon bag are buried in wet, pre-calcined sand and kept there for a month, periodically watering. Once a week, the bag is dug out, the seeds are washed and aired for 5-10 minutes, after which they are buried again.

In January, a box of sand is placed in a refrigerator or room with zero temperature for a month. Then they are moved to a room with a temperature of +8 C. Weekly, the seeds are ventilated and moistened.

After cracking the seeds, they begin to plant them. A mixture of soil, peat and sand is poured into the seedling containers in a ratio of 1: 2: 1. The seeds are sown in furrows at a distance of 1 cm from each other, covered with a thin layer of soil and sprayed with a spray bottle. Cover with newspaper on top.

Schisandra sprouts

Moisten the soil sparingly every day until shoots appear. Then the box is rearranged on the windowsill, but they make a shelter from the direct rays of the sun. In early June, the seedlings are transplanted to the garden bed and make them a shelter. Under cover, plants should grow until winter. No top dressing is added. Care consists in timely watering and removal of weeds.

Propagation by cuttings. Young shoots are cut into cuttings in early June. Before planting, cuttings must be kept in water. They are planted under a non-woven shelter or in a cold greenhouse. Cuttings are watered 2-3 times a day right through the shelter, because it is removed only in mid-August. Remember that only half of your cuttings will take root. This is the peculiarity of lemongrass. In the fall, rooted cuttings are removed along with a lump of earth to a cool basement. It is best to place the lump in damp sawdust.

Rooting lemongrass cuttings

Overgrowth. The most affordable and simple way to reproduce. Young shoots appear in large numbers near the mother bush. As a planting material, offspring separated from the mother vine are very well suited.

Root cuttings. From the roots, it is necessary to cut off small (5-10 cm) areas on which dormant buds are located, and plant them in a cold greenhouse. In order for the cuttings to take root, daily watering is necessary. In the next spring, young plants can be transplanted to a permanent place.

Lemongrass shoots

Growing lemongrass from seeds

Lemongrass propagates in two main ways (buying a finished seedling on the market does not count): root shoots
and seeds
... With the first method, everything is clear. Dig up - separate - plant. But if there is no such possibility, then you need to be prepared for a rather lengthy process.

First of all, it must be borne in mind that the seeds for planting must be taken fresh, after six months they lose their germination and it will be very problematic to get a result from them. This fact must be taken into account when buying seeds in a store. The seeds must go through (stratification)! It is not recommended to ignore it, otherwise the result may come to naught. Seeds are planted directly into open ground. It is best to immediately set aside for this a separate bed, protected from winds and the bright sun. This will be a "seedling" bed, on which the seedlings will have to spend 2 or even 3 years. To avoid pre-sowing preparation, you can sow seeds before winter. In this case, they will pass it in a natural way, but the germination rate decreases.If you want to achieve the best results, then you should prepare for the spring sowing of lemongrass seeds at the end of January. The preparation is carried out in four stages.

1. We soak the seeds in clean water and keep them there for four days. At this time, empty seeds are also rejected, which float to the surface. The water changes every day.
2. At this stage, the seeds are mixed with wet sand or perlite and kept for a month at a temperature close to room temperature (+ 15-20 degrees).
3. Actually - cold treatment. For a month we put a mixture of seeds with sand in a refrigerator or cellar (from 0 to +5 degrees).
4. At the last stage, the temperature for keeping seeds should be +8 - 10 degrees. In April, finding a place with such temperatures will not be difficult. At the end of April, lemongrass seeds can already be planted. If everything went well and the seeds were of good quality, they should have germinated by this time. If this has not happened, then it still does not mean anything. The term of their germination may be longer (up to 2.5 months). You can wait for germination and after that plant it in the ground, or you can not wait, but plant it as it is. Of course, there is a risk factor in this, but as practice shows, this process is more active in the ground.

Note!
At all stages of preparation, do not allow the seeds to dry out. They must be constantly wet !. Seeds of schisandra chinensis are sown in well-loosened soil, to a shallow depth (1 - 1.5 cm)

It is recommended to fill them up not with the same soil from the garden, but with a light mixture of peat and sand (2: 1).
The first year, young lemongrass seedlings grow very slowly and need constant and careful care. It is necessary to constantly monitor the moisture content of the soil, water them regularly, remove weeds, make sure that the wind and heavy rain do not damage the weak growth

Seeds of Schisandra chinensis are sown in well-loosened soil, to a shallow depth (1 - 1.5 cm). It is recommended to fill them up not with the same soil from the garden, but with a light mixture of peat and sand (2: 1).
The first year, young lemongrass seedlings grow very slowly and need constant and careful care. It is necessary to constantly monitor the soil moisture, water them regularly, remove weeds, make sure that the wind and heavy rain do not damage the weak growth.

In the first year, the seedlings will grow very slightly, up to about 5-6 centimeters. Further things will go more fun. In the second year, he will more actively build up the root system, and develop the ground part. It is best to plant lemongrass in a permanent place when it is old enough and gains strength for "adult" life. Therefore, it is advisable not to risk it, but to keep it on the "children's" garden for the third year. During this time, it usually grows up to 40-50 cm.

Chinese lemongrass care

Further care for the vine is not burdensome. It consists in weeding and loosening the soil around the bushes. Be careful when loosening, the roots do not like being disturbed.

You cannot dig the earth around the lemongrass bushes!

If the weather is dry, the plantings need to be watered. Mulching the soil allows you to retain moisture for a longer period, so I advise you not to neglect this procedure.

Top dressing lemongrass

In the spring, organic or mineral fertilizers with a predominance of nitrogen are applied under the bushes. When the plants bloom in May-June, they need to be fed with liquid organic matter, and in the fall - with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers.

Pruning lemongrass

Prune lemongrass in summer and autumn. It is necessary to remove all old and broken branches, dry and weak shoots, as well as pinch the lateral annual growths above 10-12 buds.

Diseases and pests of Schisandra chinensis

I have not seen pests on lemongrass, but he has diseases. It is affected by fungal diseases: ascochitis, phyllostictosis, ramulariasis, which manifest themselves in the appearance of dark spots on the leaf surface.

If the use of chemistry on the site is acceptable to you, then you can treat the plants with preparations containing copper.

In addition to these diseases, lemongrass is affected by powdery mildew, which looks like a white bloom on the leaves. If you notice the disease in the initial stage, treat it with a fungicide.

Schizandra seedlings are affected by Fusarium, which manifests itself as a dark ring at the bottom of the stem, which then softens, which leads to the death of the plant. You cannot help here, the affected plant is removed, and the soil is treated with a pink solution of manganese.

Origin and botanical characteristics of lemongrass

Lemongrass is a type of flowering plant from the Lemongrass family that has nothing to do with lemon. The vegetation got its name in Russia because of the smell of the stems and the sour taste of the fruit.

Lemongrass began to grow in China, where it acquired its local name “berry of five tastes”. It also grows in Japan and Korea. Not popular in Russia, but found in nature.

Geography of distribution in the Russian Federation:

• Sakhalin;
• Far East;
• along the coast of the Amur River;
• Khabarovsk region;
• Kuril Islands.

Lemongrass chooses river valleys and forest edges as habitats. Lemongrass blooms in May, the process lasts only two weeks, but the berries can be picked only in September.

Schisandra chinensis appearance

The plant is a liana up to 15 meters long. At the dacha, gardeners let it go along fences or arches - lemongrass braids around the base, creating a hedge.

Leaves of lemongrass are up to 3 cm wide and up to 10 cm long, they are sharp and slightly toothed. Plant stems are thin - up to 2 cm in diameter.

The healing properties of lemongrass

The composition of lemongrass berries is rich in useful substances:

• Sahara;
• vitamin C;
• Apple acid;
• lemon acid;
• wine acid;
• thiamine;
• riboflavin;
• toferol;
• fatty oil;
• essential oil.

The berries of this plant are used in medicine, they are used to prepare medicines:

• hypnotic;
• sedatives;
• antipsychotics;
• psychostimulants;
• analeptics.

Schisandra is most often used as a raw material in the production of tinctures, as well as tablets and powders. In addition, they sell whole seeds and dried berries for making decoctions.

All parts of the plant are involved in the manufacture of medicines:

In medicine, lemongrass fruits are divided into components - they squeeze juice from the berries and take seeds. Oil is obtained from the roots and leaves, and the bark is needed to prepare tinctures.

Schisandra is used in the treatment of the following diseases:

• respiratory diseases (whooping cough, bronchitis);
• baldness;
• lichen;
• ARVI;
• gastrointestinal diseases;
• avitaminosis;
• decreased sexual activity;
• non-healing wounds;
• fungal diseases;
• migraine;
• depression.

Lemongrass should not be consumed:

• children under 12 years old;
• with violations of cardiac work;
• people with high blood pressure;
• during pregnancy and lactation;
• suffering from epilepsy.

Growing tips

To grow a good and productive lemongrass bush, you need to know how to root seedlings, feed, water, cover in winter, cut them off. All these care procedures are not complicated and will not take much time.

Did you know? Plant in question also called shisandra and Manchu lemongrass, and in Europe, the vine was originally called climbing magnolia.

Some tips for growing:

1. Since lemongrass loves moisture, it needs about 60 liters of water for 3 days. It takes rainwater best. On hot days, spray the leaves to avoid wilting.
2. The plant needs to be fed with both organic and mineral fertilizers.
3. The vine should be grown on a support. Usually the height of the supports is 2-3 m, which complicates plant care and harvesting. Accordingly, a wire is pulled between them at a height of 50, 130 and 200 cm.
4. The frost-resistant plant can withstand up to -35 ° С. Usually it is not covered for the winter.But if the region has severe frosty winters, then you need to remove the shoots and spread them on the ground, covering them with mulch and straw. You must first water the lemongrass abundantly with 80 liters of water.
5. Vine pruning plays an important role in further growth and fruiting. In March, it is worth removing frozen, dried up and broken branches. In the fall, it is also necessary to prune intertwined shoots that are weak, diseased or deformed. In addition, you need to cut off the vine that has borne fruit for 3 years.
6. At the age of 15, lemongrass rejuvenates and leaves only 5 of the strongest and most fruitful shoots. Everything else is cut to the ground.

Every year there are more and more people who want to grow Chinese lemongrass. Some have heard of its healing properties, making the life of hypotonic patients easier, while others like how a beautiful lush liana weaves along a gazebo or a fence, decorating a summer cottage. The correct approach to planting and care will make the plant an original decoration of the garden.

Basic rules of care

In order for a plant to grow, develop and bear fruit, it must be properly and regularly looked after. Schisandra, like any other culture, needs:

• watering;
• fertilization;
• pruning;
• preparation for wintering;
• periodic inspection for the absence of diseases and other pests.

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If you do not provide the plant with timely care, then the vine will dry out, hurt, stop bearing fruit and eventually simply die.

To grow a healthy and strong vine, which will delight you with abundant fruiting, it is important to do everything on time and correctly.

Watering and feeding

It should be added right away that only competent watering and the right fertilizer will provide lemongrass with good growth and a bountiful harvest. Considering that plants in nature grow on moist soil, it is necessary to create the most similar conditions. That is, the ground should always remain slightly damp. In very hot weather, an adult bush needs to be sprayed and watered, and at least fifty liters of water should be poured into the roots.

Chinese lemongrass begin to feed at the age of three. Liquid organic fertilizers are ideal fertilizers for them. For summer top dressing, fertilizers can be made as follows: you need to mix water with chicken droppings in a ratio of 1 to 20 and apply this solution under each plant. This should be done no more than once every twenty days.

In the spring, most often the plant is fertilized with saltpeter; for an adult lemongrass, 1.5 tablespoons of the product will be enough. But in the autumn, at the very beginning of September, it is necessary to fertilize the vine with a composition that includes thirty grams of potassium superphosphate and the same amount of potassium salt or wood ash. But it is better not to use chlorine-containing compositions, they are harmful to the shrub.

Prop and trim

Lemongrass is pruned to form a crown, and also so that it bears fruit more abundantly. In the summer, the branches are thinned; they must be cut off by about ten buds. In autumn, pruning lemongrass is carried out only after the foliage has completely fallen off. In this case, remove all excess, dry and old shoots. It is best to leave five or six young vines. In the spring, it is better not to injure the shrub or cut it off. During this period, it is allowed to remove root suckers that are located at a distance from the main vine.

And you also need to replace old shoots with young ones once every eight years. To do this, you need to leave only one old shoot and take the two strongest basal processes. After the young grow up, you will need to choose one strong shoot, and cut off the rest.

Since lemongrass is a climbing plant, it will need a support that will enable it to grow vertically. Since without it the shrub will not be able to develop fully, which means it will not bear fruit.Only the presence of a trellis helps the plant to receive a sufficient amount of light and the all-round ventilation it needs.

As a result, such a design will allow you to have a horizontal support, which has several tiers at once. After the vine grows to the last tier, it is simply thrown over, and it continues to grow, but already down. But basically, when this happens, it's time to renew the shoots.

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Preparing for the winter period

Gardeners from the middle lane need not prepare lemongrass for wintering, as it perfectly tolerates even the most severe frosts. But the northerners still have to prepare Chinese lemongrass for the cold weather. To do this, carefully remove the vine from the support and lay it compactly on the ground. And put spruce branches or dry sawdust on top.

In the case when it is not possible to remove the vine from the support, it is necessary to carefully wrap it with a covering material, and tie it with spruce branches on top of it.

Top dressing lemongrass

Up to three years of age, seedlings are grown without the use of fertilizing. Further, regular application of fertilizers increases the decorative effect of the vines, the leaves acquire a more beautiful and healthy appearance.

Schisandra chinensis is fed twice a season:

• in the spring;

• in the fall.

Spring feeding begins from the moment of active growth of the vines, as a rule, from April. During this period, nitrogen-containing fertilizers are used. The ground around the bush is well loosened and nitrate granules are covered. Water the plant well. Further, every month the vine is watered with organic matter. For this, a solution of chicken manure or manure is used.

Important! As a fertilizer, you can mulch the soil around lemongrass with compost. Adult vines, which have already borne fruit, are fed with nitrophos in the spring

Adult vines, which have already borne fruit, are fed with nitrophos in the spring.

Fall fertilizers are applied when the plant has shed its leaves. The soil around the vines is loosened to a depth of about 10 cm, adding 100 grams of ash and 20 grams of superphosphate under each bush.

Chinese lemongrass care

Young vines need regular watering and spraying of the leaves. Top dressing with saltpeter is performed once a month with mandatory subsequent watering. When the plant bears fruit, you should temporarily stop feeding the plant with fertilizers so that high-quality fruits ripen faster. Adult lemongrass need about 5–6 buckets of water for irrigation after fertilizing. To preserve the water, they mulch the soil with dry earth. For better development, it is necessary to remove the weeds and excess grass formed nearby in time.

Wintering without shelter is well tolerated only by adult vines, which have a high degree of frost resistance. And for young lemongrass, you need to create additional protection against frost, which cannot be removed until the end of the spring frost. For seedlings, the soil is hilled and covered with a thick layer of dry leaves, followed by covering with spruce branches.

Pruning lemongrass

To form an attractive crown of the bush, it is necessary to remove diseased and old shoots. When the plant reaches two years of age, the strongest branches are chosen, which are left for development, and the rest are cut off. Adult Chinese magnolia vine should be rid of poorly developing shoots, leaving only productive stems.

Pruning is done in the fall after the plant has shed its foliage. If the plant is too dense, then the procedure can be postponed until summer. Winter and spring are not the best times for pruning shoots, because at this time sap is released from them. Lemongrass may dry out due to early pruning.

Medicinal properties of schisandra chinensis

This liana plant is popular with gardeners because of its valuable fruits, which contain substances that have a tonic effect on our body.
Schizandrol and schizandrin, which are beneficial for the liver and for the cardiovascular system, give the greatest value to Schizandra. If you eat 50 g of fruit pulp every day, the body will receive a daily intake of these substances.

The seeds contain essential oils that give the berries a pleasant aroma.
Berries also contain a lot of vitamin C, they contain citric acid, berry acid and sugar, as well as zinc, iodine, cobalt, calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, aluminum - everything that is needed for our health.

Useful properties of Chinese lemongrass

The leaves of the plant contain many macro - and microelements (aluminum, iron, iodine, potassium, calcium, cobalt, magnesium, manganese, copper, zinc). The fruits do not differ in composition, but they have a smaller amount of these elements.

The presence of acids C and E, sugar, mineral and organic acids in the composition of schisandra was noted.

Lemongrass is primarily valued for the content of schizandrol and schizandrin - biologically active substances that are included in the essential oil. They help improve liver function and are involved in stimulating the cardiovascular and nervous systems.

The essential oil thinns the light lemon scent. It is often used in perfumery, aromatherapy and soap making. Fruits, including citric, tartaric, malic and ascorbic acids, help in the treatment of gastrointestinal diseases, normalize metabolism and improve digestion. Far Eastern lemongrass is often used to tone up and restore physical strength.